CORONADO STARBUCKS SEEKS ALCOHOL LICENSE

The Starbucks in Coronado could become the chain’s first store in Southern California to start selling beer and wine.

A Starbucks spokesman confirmed that the Seattle-based company has applied for a license permitting it to sell alcohol at the 2,500-square-foot store.

Starbucks had announced this year that it plans to start offering beer and wine at select locations, similar to what is already being done at some of its Seattle and Portland, Ore., locations. As part of that initiative, small plates, hot flatbreads and other savory snacks are also available to patrons.

In Southern California, there will be four to six Starbucks locations selling alcohol, but it’s unknown how many of those will be in San Diego County, said spokesman Zack Hutson. He also couldn’t say which locations would be the first to start beer and wine sales. The company is in the process of filing for licenses, but no others have been announced yet.

Besides San Diego County, Starbucks is also looking to add alcohol sales to stores in Atlanta and Chicago. By the end of the year, there could be as many as 25 outlets offering beer and wine, the company has said.

“We are excited about potentially bringing wine, beer and an enhanced food menu to our Coronado store,” Hutson said. “Located in the heart of Coronado, this store is ideally situated for the concept. We are hoping to create a new occasion for our customers to visit our Coronado store in the evening or late afternoon in a comfortable and inviting environment that will allow them to connect with the people they care about.”

The wine and beer list, Starbucks has said, will be customized to reflect local consumer tastes. The selected stores will also incorporate flexible seating to accommodate individuals and small groups, as well as larger parties that want to host community meetings or other events.